After the city of Muskegon's senior transit services end Dec. 31, senior citizens in the city will have to rely on public transportation such as provided through the Muskegon Area Transit System or special services such the America Red Cross rides for medical appointments.CHRONICLE FILE PHOTO

A group of Muskegon residents is trying to find a way to continue funding transportation for senior citizens, a program that is slated to end Dec. 31. The group was organized by Zawdie Abiade, pastor of Lakeside Wesleyan Church.

They will need to raise $70,000 from individual and corporate sponsors. They also are seeking a partnership with the city similar to one developed for youth recreation programs.

In November, citizens voted to continue the program with a millage levy in Proposal 2 but didn't support a change in the city charter, Proposal 3, which would have allowed the additional tax.

The $70,000 annual transit service for senior citizens in the city was recommended to be eliminated in the 2012-2013 budget last June. The city has been losing federal block grant funds used to support the transit services over the years